The Editor's Desk

Posted: Monday, April 11, 2011

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'NEW URBANISM' GOING MAINSTREAM: New Urbanism, the now-aging approach to development that favors high-density walkable spaces where a variety of land uses - residential, business, commercial, etc. - are arrayed in close proximity, might finally be going mainstream.

According to the National Association of Realtors, the group's 2011 Community Preference Survey found that "most Americans would like to live in walkable communities where shops, restaurants, and local business are within an easy walk from their homes."

But there's a catch: People like that vision only "as long as those communities can provide detached single-family homes." Still, the survey "also shows that most Americans would choose a smaller home and smaller lot if it would keep their commute time to 20 minutes or less."

For a deeper look at the survey results, visit the NAR website at bit.ly/hHTMQK.

A blog post authored by Rod Stevens, a business consultant in the state of Washington, suggests that Portland, Ore. - an "aspirational city," if you will, for many people in Athens-Clarke County - has been successful with redevelopment due to "crises and political turnover that opened the community up to questioning and new leadership; a growing facility with problem definition and problem solving; and the attraction of 'outsiders' who joined the community and brought fresh new approaches and energy."

► TINA'S ON YOUTUBE, Y'ALL!: Liberal syndicated columnist Tina Dupuy, whose column is on the verge of claiming a regular spot on the Banner-Herald's Saturday editorial page, has fast become a favorite among readers. The tagline at the end of her column mentions that she's a fill-in host for "The Young Turks," an online political show with - surprise - a liberal perspective. If you'd like to see her work on the show, a YouTube clip from November of last year is available at bit.ly/igpVjC.

► EXTRA CREDIT: Using President Jimmy Carter's recent trip to Cuba as a starting point, Miami Herald columnist Marifeli Perez-Stable says the U.S. government should look for more ways to engage the Cuban government and its citizens. Read her commentary, today's online-only offering.

► TWITTER: Follow me @Jim__Thompson for updates as I assemble the editorial page each day. Most days, it's a lot more exciting than watching paint dry.